Speaker Impedence

[Shadow_Ferret]

Is it advisable to mix impedences when running a 5.1 system? The reason I ask is I'm looking at the specs for the Epos ELS-3 and it's companion ELS3C. (Just for clarification, I'd be running 4 ELS-3s and the ELS3C is the center.)

The ELS-3 is rated at 4 ohm nominal but the ELS3C is rated at 8 ohms! (The subwoofer is also rated at 4 ohms, but since it has it's only amp, this shouldn't be a concern, correct?)

Will this cause any problems or can any old A/V receiver handle that? (At this point I'm looking at the Pioneer D914.)

Thanks.

 

[bpape]

Shouldn't be an issue IF the receiver will handle ANY 4 ohm loads. If it won't then having some of the speakers be 8 ohms won't help - sorry.

 

[markw]

The subwoofer has it's only amp?

Are you saying it'sa powered subwoofer? If so, than for all intents and purposes it's not a 4 ohm speaker. It's a high impedance amplifier input, which is good for your receiver.

As far as the 4 ohm/8 ohm situation... well, if you can balance the speakers for matching output and you can drive them to satisfying levels without the amp going into protection (or worse) then you're good to go.